There was no talk in court about a motive, but investigators said they're confident they have in custody the people responsible for Wilkinson's death. Officials said they believe the three men carried out the crime and planned it in advance.

Prosecutors said they believe Pinette drove a vehicle in connection with the crime, discussed the plan with the other two and may have been holding a machete as Tatum and Wolusky stabbed Wilkinson with knives and the machete.

Prosecutors said the crime wasn't random, and the four knew each other.

"From what I knew, he did hang out with them from time to time," said Chris Cote, a friend of the victim. "I don't know if he was good friends like we were, but I know he did hang out with them."

Cote said he believes the crime may have been motivated by jealousy, and he said being in court was difficult.

"It was wicked hard, wicked hard," he said. "I wanted to do so much. I had to just keep quiet and sit in the back and do nothing. It hurts when you can't do anything for a friend."

Wilkinson's father reported him missing Saturday morning. Hours later, a woman in Lebanon discovered his body.

Prosecutors said Wilkinson was killed on his property but not in his home. Officials wouldn't say exactly what led them to the three men.

"Law enforcement looks into the background of the victim," said Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin. "They tried to learn about connections that the victim has, and that's typically how we begin these cases. That's the type of work that was done in this case."

Wilkinson was described as compassionate and giving. There will be a memorial for him at Swasey Park in Exeter on Friday night.

The three suspects were ordered held without bail and are scheduled to be back in court next month.